Aglaonema plant named Mary Ann

ABSTRACT

An Aglaonema plant named Mary Ann characterized by its bicolor leaves having a dark green background and lighter silvery green irregular base extending from the midrib to near the edge of the leaf, and by its branched, dense habit, and rapid growth.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofAglaonema, botanically known as Aglaonema hybrida, and referred to bythe cultivar name Mary Ann.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program carried outby the inventor Richard J. Button in Miami, Fla. The new cultivar is aproduct of a cross of unknown parentage.

The cultivar was discovered and selected from the progeny of the crossby the inventor in Miami, Fla. Asexual propagation by division firstcarried out by the inventor in Miami, Fla. and later carried out inZolfo Springs, Fla. was used to increase the number of plants forevaluation and has demonstrated the stability of the characteristics ofthe new cultivar from generation to generation.

The following observations, measurements and values describe plantsgrown in Zolfo Springs, Fla. under shadehouse conditions which closelyapproximate those generally used in horticultural practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed to be characteristicswhich in combination distinguish Mary Ann from other Aglaonema of thesame general type, for example, the commercially well known cultivarMaria.

1. The leaves of Mary Ann are larger, wider and have more silvermarkings than those of Maria.

2. The leaves, petioles, and stems of Mary Ann are lighter green thanthose of Maria.

3. Mary Ann has more branches than Maria.

4. The habit of Mary Ann is taller and more spreading than Maria.

5. Plants of Mary Ann grow to a marketable size from fewer cuttings inapproximately 15% less time than Maria.

All color references are to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart. Colors may vary somewhat depending on horticultural practicessuch as light level and fertilization rate, among others, without,however any variance in genotype.

The color photographic drawing comprises a top perspective view of MaryAnn.

The photograph is of a plant of Mary Ann grown in a 20.3 cm potapproximately 52 weeks after planting a single 4 leaf cutting, grownunder appropriate growing conditions. Colors are as accurate as possiblewith color illustrations of this type.

Origin: Seedling selected from a cross of unknown parentage.

Classification: Aglaonema hybrida, cv, Mary Ann.

Propagation: Asexual propagation either by division or tissue culture.

Plant: When a 4 leaf cutting is grown in a 20.3 cm pot for 52 weeksunder appropriate growing conditions, Mary Ann is approximately 11.5 cmto 17.0 cm in height, measured from the soil surface to the junction ofthe petioles of the last two (2) unrolled leaves, and approximately 54cm to 59 cm in width.

(A) Stem.--(1) Growth pattern: The stem is erect in growth and isapproximately 1.7 cm to 1.9 cm in diameter 5 cm above the soil surface.Internode distance is approximately 1.0 cm to 1.6 cm, 3 cm above thesoil. (2) Color: The stem color is closest to but greener than 137C.

(B) Petiole.--The following information is based on the 4th expandedleaf from the apex. (1) Growth pattern: The petiole has fleshy edges,referred to as wings, extending from the midrib. The wings areapproximately 5 mm to 6 mm wide one-half the distance from the petiolebase to the wing apex. The wings extend from the base of the petiole towithin approximately 1.8 cm to 2.7 cm of the base of the leaf. The apexof the wings is unevenly rounded and often torn. The petiole follows thestem axis but diverges from the axis approximately 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm fromthe leaf base, forming a horizontal distance from the edge of the stemto the leaf base of approximately 3.0 cm to 3.7 cm. (2) Dimensions: Thepetiole is straight from its base to approximately the end of the wing,and often curved from approximately the end of the wing to the base ofthe leaf. The petiole is approximately 6 mm in diameter one-half thedistance between the top of the wing and the base of the leaf. Thepetiole is approximately 11.5 cm to 14.0 cm in length. (3) Color: Thepetiole is closest to 137B but darker and greener. The petiole wings areclosest to 137A but darker and greener.

(C) Leaf.--(1) Growth pattern: The leaf is ovate with an acuminate apexand a cordate base. The margin is entire. The leaf is asymmetric withthe side of the leaf unrolling first having less surface area than theside unrolling last. The leaf is oriented parallel to the stem axis atthe time of full unrolling, changing to approximately 40 degrees aboveperpendicular to the stem axis as more leaves unroll above it. Themidrib is straight over two-thirds the length of the leaf, and curvedsomewhat downward near the leaf tip. The leaf blade is flat from themidrib to the margin, and somewhat wavy along the margin. (2)Dimensions: For the pot size and growing time indicated, the largestleaves are approximately 25 cm to 27.5 cm long and approximately 8.0 cmto 10.3 cm wide. Average sized leaves are approximately 20 cm to 23.4 cmlong and approximately 6.5 cm to 7.2 cm wide. The leaf is moderatelythick. (3) Midrib: The midrib is thick and prominent, recessed on theadaxial leaf surface and protruding from the abaxial surface. Theadaxial leaf midrib is 138A when new, and closest to 137A on olderleaves, but darker and greener. The abaxial leaf midrib is 146D on bothnew and old leaves. (4) Primary veins: The primary veins are sunken intothe upper surface and protrude slightly from the underside. The primaryveins are 146A in color. (5) Color and pattern: The leaf is bicolor onthe adaxial surface, with a dark green background and lighter silverygreen irregular bars extending from the midrib to near the edge of theleaf. The background color of new leaves is 137A-138A, with the lighterirregular areas being greener than but closest to 139D. Older leaveshave a background color closest to 137A but darker and greener, with thelighter irregular areas being 138B-C. The abaxial surface of both newand old leaves is 146C-D. (6) Axillary breaks: There are approximately12 to 15 axillary breaks with at least one leaf expanded. Leaves willshow true color and pattern by the first leaf. (7) Inflorescence:Typical of Aglaonema and does not have commercial significance.

(D) Roots.--Thick white roots with fine laterals.

General observation: Aglaonema Mary Ann has bicolor leaves marked withsilver-green on a dark green background. The plant habit is branched,and dense. The plant grows rapidly, attaining a marketable size fromfewer cuttings in less time than the closest commercial comparison,Aglaonema Maria. These combined characteristics make Mary Ann a uniquenew cultivar.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aglaonema plant named MaryAnn, as illustrated and described.